- This is the 19th consecutive year that Continental technology has been integral to winners of the award.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For 19 consecutive years, Continental, a leading global automotive supplier, has provided key powertrain technologies to the winners of the Ward's 10 Best Engines competition.

For the 2013 model year, eight of the Ward's "10 best" engines feature Continental technology. This selective group of engines is determined by the editors of WardsAuto magazine. Together they test drive a myriad of vehicles, ranking the horsepower, torque, observed fuel economy, relative competitiveness and NVH.

"We are extremely pleased to see that once again Continental's powertrain technologies have contributed to our customers' success," said Kregg Wiggins, senior vice president, powertrain, North America. "Our goal is to provide propulsion systems that are safe, powerful, environmentally friendly and affordable – and this year's engine list demonstrates that ability."

The engines in the WardsAuto list feature a number of Continental's advanced engine technologies, including engine management systems, sensors and actuators.

The Ward's 10 Best Engines featuring Continental technology include:

Audi S5 3.0L V-6

Engine Control Unit

Gasoline direct-injection XL2 Solenoid Injector

Knock sensor

Electronic Throttle control

Air control valve for supercharger air bypass

BMW 135is 3.0L N55

Electronic Throttle Control

Engine speed sensor

Knock sensor

Oil condition sensor

Manifold absolute pressure sensor

Variable valve train actuator

Smart coolant pump

Ram 1500 3.6L V-6

Engine Control Unit

Knock sensor

Cam sensor

Crank sensor

Honda Accord 3.5L V-6

Engine Control Unit

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System

BMW 328i 2.0T

Electronic Throttle Control

Knock sensor

Manifold absolute pressure sensor

Variable valve train actuator

Ford Focus ST/Taurus 2.0T

Knock Sensor

Canister Purge Valve (CPV)

Ford Shelby GT500 V8

Electronic Control Unit

Knock Sensor

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System

Cadillac ATS 2.0T

Electronic Control Unit

Knock Sensor

Flex Fuel Sensor

Electronic Throttle Control

The WardsAuto editors chose the winning engines after spending months driving 40 vehicles in their daily commutes around metro Detroit. The technologies are then scored based upon power, technology, fuel economy and noise, vibration and harshness characteristics.

About Continental With sales of €30.5 billion in 2011, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately 170,000 employees in 46 countries.